Libertyville gets spooky

LIBERTYVILLE — For the last 49 years Libertyville Community Committee has hosted a Spooktacular event to celebrate Halloween.

Saturday, Oct. 29, began with breakfast at the fire station followed by Halloween fun well into the evening.

A fall vendor show filled the old elementary school with Farmwife Sweets, Staci Jasper Design’s Jewelry and creations, Catching all your Dream’s dream catchers, and more.

The old elementary is currently in the process of being renovated into apartments, Air BnB’s, and shops.

Tours of the building were made available throughout the day.

After a trunk-or-treat, children lined up in age brackets for a costume contest.

All costume contest participants received a full size bag of M&M’s, and winners also received dollar coins.

First Place Winners included a cowboy sheriff on a real miniature pony, a raccoon trapper, Poppy the Troll, Pennywise, and even Marianne the Librarian from the Music Man.

Eighth grade student Piper Miller, from Fairfield, was encouraged by her uncle to dress up for the event.

“I found this bridesmaid’s dress from my grandma’s wedding and thought it looked a lot like Marianne the Librarian,” Miller said.

Second-grader Serenity Dille was all smiles in her Pennywise costume.

With the help of her mom, Jamie Dille, Serenity wore impeccable Pennywise makeup and curly cue pigtails painted red. Her costume was completed with a single red helium balloon.

The Fairfield Middle School assembled outside of the old elementary and played the National Anthem.

Then, the costume contest participants followed as the marching band led the annual Halloween Parade around the park.

Attendees enjoyed delicious food from food trucks and specialty drinks from Rural Revival on the sunshine filled day.

Children filled their afternoon with games like pumpkin bowling and ghost bean bag toss.

Community Committee member Bev Nelson would like to thank event sponsors for making the event possible.

The City of Libertyville, Church Creek Enterprises, Libertyville Savings Bank, Straight up Doors, Libertyville Gas and Goodies, Hickenbottom’s, Fielder Heating & Cooling, Live Wire Electric, Haney Auto Sales, RPM Automotive, Smithburg Automotive, Smithburg Automotive, and Libertyville Community Center came together to make the event possible.

Comments: AnnaMarie.Ward@southeastiowaunion.com